Mörbylånga is located on Sweden’s second largest island, Öland. The island is a favourite holiday destination for Swedish families and much appreciated for its unique nature and historical sites. “Geographically located on an island, our municipality is facing a limited availability of fresh ground water,” explains Peter Asteberg, Project Manager at the municipality of Mörbylånga. The increasing lack of drinking water peaks during the holiday season. Local industry also requires high water volumes. “With the prevailing conditions, population growth or any extension of water consuming industry represents a challenge in terms of water supply.”
We are convinced that the new plant, including APATEQ’s technology, is the right choice to pursue our future urban development.
In order to alleviate this problem, the authorities have transported drinking water from the mainland. A far from ideal situation, as the dependence on external supply means the risk of water shortage is always there. Transporting water by lorry also leads to pollution and increased traffic noise.
Multi-functional water treatment plant
Mörbylånga’s solution to the problem was to launch a call for tenders to build a stationary plat for treating brackish and waste water. Luxembourg water treatment specialist APATEQ competed with established world market leaders in the tendering process and came out on top. The recently inaugurated plant is able to treat brackish well water as well as pre-treated industrial process water in one single installation. This multi-functionality is made possible due to a combination of technologies that APATEQ – a member of the Luxembourg EcoInnovation Cluster – has developed over the years. They include dedicated software that enables the plant to self-adapt to the different water qualities.
The system is designed to handle a flow capacity from 500 to 4,000 cubic meters per day, depending on the seasonal demand. In an additional step, designed and operated by Swedish companies, its effluent will be disinfected and re-mineralised up to drinking water levels, according to the Swedish and international regulations.
Pioneering in Europe
“Our installation in Mörbylånga is the first of its kind in Europe”, says APATEQ CTO Ulrich Bäuerle. He points out that to his knowledge, direct water re-use systems have so far only been installed in Namibia and the US. “Considering the increasing demand of fresh water resources worldwide, smart water re-use systems will inevitably play a major role in the global future tackling the challenges of population growth and climate change.”
Mr Asteberg is confident that the plant is the right solution for combatting the lack of drinking water. “We are convinced that the new plant, including APATEQ’s technology, is the right choice to pursue our future urban development,” he says.
The plant was inaugurated on 12 July 2019 in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Prince Félix of Luxembourg.